Magdalena Sznurkowska was the 2024 recipient of an EACR-AstraZeneca Postdoctoral Fellowship, funding that is awarded for a period of up to three years to support excellent postdoctoral researchers in laboratories throughout Europe and the world.
She is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Nicola Aceto’s laboratory at the Institute of Molecular Heath Sciences, ETH Zürich, where she studies the mechanisms of metastasis. We recently caught up with her to hear about the progress she has made in her research during these first two years of her fellowship.
Can you tell us about the topic of the research you are undertaking during your fellowship?
Enhertu is a potent new antibody-drug-conjugate used for the treatment of HER2-positive and HER2-low breast cancer, lung and gastric cancer patients. However, it is generally understood that specific genetic backgrounds of cells may play a role in response to therapies and that resistant cells may exist in tumours or arise in response to treatments. Here, we aim to further increase the prospects of Enhertu, by discovering the potential – currently hidden – mechanisms of resistance and sensitization, to reach higher response rates with combinatorial therapies.
What have been your highlights of the second year of the fellowship?
A key highlight of the second year was the acquisition of new patient-derived circulating tumour cell (CTC) material from breast and lung cancer patients through extensive liquid-biopsy screening. This material will enable assessment of Enhertu resistance in vitro and in vivo and, subsequently, the identification of molecular targets that could be leveraged to pre-empt or prevent resistance development in patients.
At this stage, how do you think the fellowship will be beneficial to your research and your career?
The Fellowship has been very beneficial, because the connection with AstraZeneca and its research leaders will enhance my translational skills, as well as broaden my field of expertise. Additionally, receiving this prestigious Fellowship, and having a chance to present my work at the EACR Annual Congress, was a great opportunity enhancing my career prospects. Being part of the EACR Fellows Network is inspiring and beneficial as well.
More about EACR-AstraZeneca Postdoctoral Fellowships
The aims of this funding are to support the career development of outstanding EACR members in the early stage of their careers, and to train the next generation of scientists engaged in innovative research in areas where AstraZeneca has demonstrated leadership through its pipeline and research programs. Learn more here.
